2006 a record year for weddings in Queensland

More Queenslanders are marrying than ever before, Attorney-General and Justice Minister Kerry Shine said today.

Mr Shine said according to figures from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, more than 25,200 weddings were held in Queensland last year – a new record.

The previous record was posted in 2005 when there were 24,439 marriage registrations.

“Some couples went to great lengths to make their wedding day truly memorable, with five couples getting married in hot air balloons in 2006,” Mr Shine said

While national marriage figures are not available for 2006 yet, in 2005, Queensland recorded the highest number of marriages per head of population for the 10th consecutive year.

Mr Shine said more couples were choosing civil rather than religious ceremonies, with almost two out of every three weddings in Queensland being a civil marriage.

Of the civil ceremonies, the Marriage Room at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Brisbane hosted a total of 1198 weddings last year. The rest were performed by private celebrants in a wide range of settings.

The Brisbane Marriage Room holds more weddings than any other location in Queensland.

Ceremonies are conducted during normal business hours and on Saturdays between 10am and 4.30pm. Registry weddings are also available in many courthouses in larger rural and regional areas throughout the State.

For more information on Registry weddings phone the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages on 1300 366 430 or 07 3224 7414, or visit www.justice.qld.gov.au/bdm.

20 January 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Mr Shine’s office) 0418 197 350 kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au